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Air Commodore Rick Peacock-Edwards
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Rate of Climb: Thrilling Personal Reminiscences from a Fighter Pilot and Leader Kindle Edition

by Rick Peacock-Edwards (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 out of 5 stars 49 ratings
A veteran RAF fighter pilot reflects on his service in the sky during the Cold War, the Gulf War, and more in this exciting memoir.

Rick Peacock-Edwards has led different lives at different times, but through it all, he has consistently enjoyed himself. One of three sons of outstanding South African Battle of Britain pilot F/O S R “Teddy” Peacock-Edwards, Rick has a compassionate regard for a generation of wartime aircrew: “As the proud son of one of the “Few,” their selfless daring has inspired me throughout my life. Importantly, they influenced my decision to become an airman in the Royal Air Force, to become a fighter pilot like my father, and to live life with spirit as they had lived their lives. It is essential that their experiences live on.”

Rate of Climb, his original and entertaining biography, drawing on previously unpublished family and archival material, shows Rick in complete command of his primary subject: flying. A leading ex-RAF fighter pilot to his fingertips, he flew the Lightning, Phantom, Tornado F2/3 and other high-performance aircraft, and served in senior-ranking positions in the UK, Germany and the US. During a varied and distinguished career, he was closely associated with the Eurofighter Typhoon programme and was appointed as the Royal Air Force Inspector of Flight Safety. He ably demonstrated his uncommon skill and determined leadership during the Cold War era, first Gulf War and elsewhere.

A past master of The Honourable Company of Air Pilots, he is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and the immediate past vice chairman of the Royal Air Force Club in London. He is equally as engaged in his post-RAF career as he was when a serving officer.

This is an action-packed account of a foremost flyer’s life with endless good stories, and a colourful cast of characters to match. Rick’s compelling recollections in Rate of Climb reveal a life of considerable achievement, in a very personal book capturing the ties of airmanship that the author has been privileged to share. A must for all lovers of derring-do in the air.
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  1. Print length
    297 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Grub Street Publishing
  4. Publication date
    October 31, 2020
  5. File size
    18.8 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Cameron Stewart has toured in My Grandfather's Great War, which was nominated for Best Solo Show by the Stage. He has appeared on television in The Turn of the Screw, All Saints, The Inbetweeners, Home and Away, Fallen Angel, Coronation Street, and Young Lions.



James Cameron Stewart is a veteran actor whose performances include roles in theater, film, and television. He was trained at Hull University and the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. His credits include Outlander, Jericho, Flying Blind, Golden Years, Emmerdale, London's Burning, Eastenders, Coronation Street, and Holby City.



A leading ex-RAF fighter pilot to his fingertips, Air Commodore Rick Peacock-Edwards, CBE, AFC, flew the Lightning, Phantom, Tornado F2/3, and other high-performance aircraft, and served in senior-ranking positions in the UK, Germany, and the US. During a varied and distinguished career he was closely associated with the Eurofighter Typhoon program and was appointed as the Royal Air Force Inspector of Flight Safety. He ably demonstrated his uncommon skill and determined leadership during the Cold War era, first Gulf War, and elsewhere. A past master of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots, he is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and the immediate past vice chairman of the Royal Air Force Club in London. He is equally as engaged in his post-RAF career as he was when a serving officer.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B089HQ1Q9R
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Grub Street Publishing (October 31, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 31, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 18.8 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 297 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 49 ratings

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Air Commodore Rick Peacock-Edwards

Air Commodore Rick Peacock-Edwards

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Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
49 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • William M. Hennessy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Quick Delivery, No Problems.
    Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Quick Delivery, No Problems. I would purchase from this seller again.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Michael Arron
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating insight into the determination to succeed and excel as an RAF fighter pilot
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 25, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    A fantastic book showing the hard work required to become a successful RAF pilot during the Cold War and beyond. Rick’s story is incredible and explains how he made such a successful career within the RAF and after too. Work hard and play hard are the traits Rick possessed that enabled him to move into many leadership roles. A wonderful book of humour, grit, loss, joy and passion for flying. Highly recommend reading a part of Ricks amazing journey.
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  • Mr. Kane A. Davidson
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Satisfying Tale of a Life Well Lived
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 19, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Although not laced with too many high octane flying incidents (perhaps due to the author's skill on the stick), I enjoyed very much the description of a blossoming career in aviation, mostly spent in the RAF flying the front line aircraft of the day. It was good to delve deep into the life of an important RAF officer. I did notice a trend throughout the book - repeated mention of 'refreshments', culminating in a rather unfortunately fall from a bar stool which broke his wrist. I am glad to have read this book. Aircrew Interviews is a great channel on YouTube where you can see Rick Peacock-Edwards interviews.
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  • Katherine Hannah Fisher
    5.0 out of 5 stars The most impressive and interesting RAF career and aviation safety read!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 31, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    If there was a person made for the RAF, it was Rick. If the RAF was made for a person, it was for Rick.

    Substitute ‘RAF’ above for; aviation, flight safety success, leadership, historical remembrance, good humour and last but not least, ‘a few beers’.

    Having had the immense pleasure of meeting Rick in the airshow organisation environment, it was evident how hugely experienced, skilled, knowledgeable and personable he is in his manner and imparting of information whether in a professional or social setting. Reading this book explains to me in the most enjoyable way, just where all this comes from. Anyone who is remotely interested in the RAF or aviation will no doubt thoroughly enjoy this book.
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  • R. G. Simmonds
    5.0 out of 5 stars A superb memoir!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 20, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    A superb, wittily-written memoir of an amazing Royal Air Force career. Rick writes with authority and passion about his time in the RAF, flying the major front-line fighters of the 1960s through to the 1990s/2000s. All the highs and lows are documented - ot's a thrilling (and often sobering) read.
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  • MOORAD CHOUDHRY
    2.0 out of 5 stars Only for friends and relatives of the author
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 1, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Outside of immediate friends and relatives, people who buy these books are (like myself) military aviation enthusiasts who are interested to read, in detail, about the aircraft involved, what it was like to fly them and the challenges faced in training for them. We are less interested in the authors' social lives, for example.

    The author of this book commands our respect because of his great achievements as an RAF fast-jet pilot, flying the Lightning, Phantom and Tornado, often top of his class, and his achivement of high rank. As a UK citizen I say, "Thank you for your service, the country is in your debt." Big respect to you Sir.

    As a book however, for the general reader of military aviation history, this is a poor read because the author spends more time telling us about his social life than about the aeroplanes he flew. For example, there is a section in one chapter entitled "Girlfriends".

    If you knew the author personally this is a worthwhile read. For the general aviation enthusiast however, unfortunately this is a rather dull and dreary read.
    Report

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